Texas school shooting: Suspect's grandmother upgraded to good condition

Texas officials said Thursday that police did not confront the gunman before he entered the school, despite earlier reporting that a school district police officer had confronted the gunman.

Police believe the gunman was able to get into the building through an unlocked door at the back of the school, said Victor Escalon, the Texas Department of Public Safety's regional director for south Texas.

The gunman was shot and killed by Border Patrol tactical team nearly an hour after the shooting began, Escalon said.

Uvalde police officers responded to the shooting "within minutes," Uvalde police said in a statement Thursday.

"Our personnel have displayed the upmost commitment to our community during this difficult time as we all are suffering as members of the community, that is the family of Uvalde. It is important for our community to know that our Officers responded within minutes alongside Uvalde CISD Officers," Daniel Rodriguez, Uvalde chief of police, said in a statement.

"I understand questions are surfacing regarding the details of what occurred. I know answers will not come fast enough during this trying time, but rest assured that with the completion of the full investigation, I will be able to answer all the questions that we can."

Rodriguez added, "I know words will never ease the pain that we are all suffering, but I hope you will join me in taking some solace in knowing that the pain comes from the fact that we all have such deep love for all the victims who have been taken from us, those who are recovering, and those who only time and love will continue to heal."

Joe Garcia, the husband of teacher Irma Garcia who was killed in the shooting, died of a heart attack on Thursday, according their nephew and a close family friend.

The two were set to celebrate their 25th anniversary this year. The couple had four children.

-ABC News' Alondra Valle

Evadulia Orta, the mother of 10-year-old Rojelio Torres, a fourth grader who died in the Tuesday shooting at Robb Elementary, told ABC News that she is trying to stay strong for the rest of her children, but "I lost a piece of my heart," she said.

The mother of four told ABC News she went to pick up two of her children at the school, but only came home with one.

This has not only devastated her entire family, but the community, she said, speaking with her twin sister.

"We are praying for everyone, all the children and all the families," she said.

4:13

Texas shooting victim’s mom: ‘It’s not the same without him’

Evadulia Orta talks about her son, 10-year-old Rojelio Torres, who was a student at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

ABCNews.com

-ABC News' Maria Elena Salinas